The West Chester High School Boys are no strangers to Bermuda, making it to the finals for the second consecutive year at the Ariel Re Bermuda 7s. Last year West Chester lost a heartbreaker in OT to rival Greenwich High School CT. This year the West Chester Boys sealed the deal with a convincing win over a team of island selects sponsored by Ariel Re.

Besides the opportunity to compete, the Ariel Re Bermuda 7s has become more than just a tournament to visiting teams. West Chester Head Coach Lou Raymond remarked when asked about the overall experience in Bermuda that, "the boys enjoyed the atmosphere and exposure to the Bermuda community." Raymond also mentioned how the players took notice of  the, "1st Class Fields," and the professionalism of the college teams on hand for the event. 

Collegiate teams at the event included Stony Brook University, Kutztown University, St. Joseph's University, Rowan University, the University of Pennsylvania, West Chester University, Albany University, Norwich University and Iona College

Coach Raymond later added, "All in all the experience was a 10. This was my 2nd trip to the island of Bermuda and I look forward to number 3."

The West Chester Boys dominated in their division finishing with a perfect record of 6-0 on route to the 2017 Ariel Re Bermuda 7s High School Boys Championship. Starting pool play Friday with a dominating 50-0 victory over the Beyond Rugby U16 selects, West Chester won their second pool match with a 38-7 victory over the Bermuda Rugby U18s. The first day finished with yet another convincing 35-7 victory over the island's top team, the Ariel Re All Stars.

Saturday morning started with the fourth and final pool match. Local Warwick Academy prep school was no match for West Chester who this time shut out the opposition 29 - nil. A rematch with Beyond Rugby U18 resulted in a 47-0 victory to put them in the High School Cup Final against Ariel Re All Stars. West Chester brought home the Cup Final in similar fashion with a 50-0 victory.

Next Up for West Chester: Subaru 7s, CRCs

West Chester and coach Lou Raymond will assemble next at the Subaru 7s on May 20th in Wilmington, DE and then 2 weeks later at the CRCs in Chester PA. Interested players should contact Lou at plbg101@aol.com.

West Chester Match Scoring Summary in Bermuda

Pool -- West Chester HS 50 - 0 Beyond Rugby U16
Pool -- West Chester HS 38 - 7 Beyond Rugby U18
Pool -- West Chester HS 35 - 7 Ariel Re All Stars
1/4s -- West Chester HS 29 - 0 Warwick Academy
Semis -- West Chester HS 50 - 0 Beyond Rugby U18
Final -- West Chester HS 50 - 0 Ariel Re All Stars

West Chester Line Up

Front Row Photo (From L to R): Don McAlpine, Aiden Ballas, Eric Dormann, Rithice Ferraro, Colin Wexler, Ronan Carter
Back Row Photo (From L to R): John Dormann, Martin Altimonda, Sam Rudisill, Jack Kilgallen, Tyler Paschal, Dan Brown, Mike Salloum

West Chester Coaching Staff

Tim Jaques (Back Row Left)
Lou Raymond (Back Row Right)

Ariel Re Bermuda 7s

With two years under their belt, planning is under way for the third annual 2018 Ariel Re Bermuda 7s. The tournament is scheduled each year for a spring break weekend in March -often the third weekend.

Teams particpating in the first two years include the Bermuda Collegians, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Yale University, Columbia University, Stanstead College, Québec, West Chester High School, Pennsylvania, Greenwich High School, Connecticut, the University at Albany, Notre Dame College, Kutztown University, St. Joseph’s University, Stony Brook University, Boston Collegians (a club team consisting of players and coaches from mostly University of Massachusetts and Boston College), Norwich University and Rowan University.

For more information: www.URugby.com/2017-Ariel-Re-Bermuda-7s

Beyond Rugby Bermuda U18s and U16s

Beyond Rugby Bermuda was well represented at the 2017 Ariel Re Bermuda 7s, as Bermuda Rugby fielded two elite squads including the Beyond Rugby U18s and U16s.

Using the core values of rugby to help develop young people, Beyond Rugby works with kids at two schools in Bermuda, Cedarbridge Academy & Dellwood Middle School. Formed as the vision of former WWE Superstar John Layfield, Beyond Rugby Bermuda is a partnership between Bermuda Rugby Football Union and The Family Centre Bermuda. 

The program helps young people develop character and succeed in school while having fun and staying fit. The group offers a full rugby program, a meal, and transportation home after practice, along with personal social support and case management for youth. Beyond Rugby achieves great results due to the partnership and resources that support young people. The Family Centre organizes support for young people and families. The Bermuda Rugby Football Union organizes the training and games.

Ariel Re All Stars

For the 2017 Ariel Re Bermuda 7s, the Ariel Re All Stars combined skilled players from Berkeley Institute and Saltus Grammer School. In addition to sponsoring both the collegiate men and high school age squads, Ariel Re sponsors the entire high school league in Bermuda featuring exciting matches between the local schools played at the Bermuda National Sports Centre.

Warwick Academy

Warwick Academy is a leading school in Bermuda with student programs covering a range of emphasis including academic study, sport, music and drama. Their skilled rugby squad decided to enter their own squad in this year's Ariel Re Bermuda 7s. With some players also playing for the sponsor team, Ariel Re All Stars (HSB), the Academy also put forth an elite squad to play the other Bermuda teams and those visiting from the United States.